Tragedy in Tinseltown: Devastating Impact of L.A. Fires, Why We Should Care and Help

by Julian Spivey
 
It seems every hour or so over the last few days, I’ve seen headlines pop up via The Hollywood Reporter or other entertainment publications I follow with headlines like “Anthony Hopkins Loses Home in Hollywood Fire,” “Billy Crystal, John Goodman and others lose homes in Hollywood fire.”

The days of headlines, articles and footage of the devastation wrought by the wildfires in Los Angeles, particularly the Palisades area, have been hard to read and see, even for someone more than 1,500 miles away.

Even as I write this, the top headline on CNN.com is “More than 150,000 told to flee as 4 LA fires rage.”

​I understand that celebrities who lose their homes are better off than most of us would be in that situation. They’ll be able to rebuild more easily. But I hate seeing so many folks who entertain me, which I dearly value (and I think most who act like they don’t are lying to themselves), in so much pain.

The L.A. fires are also a sign of how little sympathy and caring we seem to have for our fellow humans. Some are gleeful that celebrities are losing their homes, belongings and the cherished memories that go with them.

What have Mandy Moore, Jeff Bridges, Eugene Levy and Cary Elwes done to hurt you?

We have to remember how populous this area is that’s being destroyed by the fires. Way more people are being affected by this tragedy than just millionaire and billionaire movie stars who might have other homes to go to. This is leaving people homeless, with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

So, instead of viewing it as a comeuppance, for whatever reasons I can’t fathom, or a message from God, or because Hollywood has DEI policies, or whatever ridiculous reason you might believe this is happening, how about trying to do something to help those going through it?

Maybe the Oscar, Emmy and Grammy winners won’t truly need your help, but thousands of others will.

​You can choose to help however you wish, but if you need help finding an organization to donate to, I recommend the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.